January 05, 2004

Saban gets big payday for BCS win

Nick Saban has to be a very happy man today. Not only did his team win the BCS National Championship last night, but Saban also cleaned up in the pocketbook.

One of the more under-reported benefits of winning the the BCS championship for Saban is a huge payday from LSU:

In a bit of irony, Saban, who makes $1.6 million per year in salary in addition to other coaching perks, has a stipulation in his contract that calls for him to earn $1 more than the highest-paid college coach in the country if he won a national title. That man is Oklahoma's Bob Stoops, whose salary is close to$2.5 million.

First you beat the guy on the field, then you get to go cash his paycheck...plus $1. Does it get any better than that?!

Posted by Kevin Donahue

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Comments & Trackbacks

1. Rob says:

   posted on January 5, 2004 04:34 PM — link

   More power to him. He's a class act.

2. Lloyd Severence says:

   posted on January 5, 2004 06:01 PM — link

   There is really only one problem with that. Now he's going to be under huge pressure to be a contender EVERY year. You don't pay a college coach $2.5 million to go 12-2 or 11-3 every year without going to the big show. I hope LSU contends next year, and I hope for Saban's job security. Because I feel he is setting himself up to be fired or have his contract renegotiated down the line.

3. Rob says:

   posted on January 5, 2004 06:48 PM — link

   He set himself up by winning the championship first. The money came afterwards. It was earned. He will now be compensated for the huge pressure that the championship created. That's the way it should be.

4. Kevin Donahue says:

   posted on January 5, 2004 07:01 PM — link

   I think Saban has more than earned it. I don't think it's a perienal thing (the salary). Just a reward for the great work.

   LSU is definitely going to feel some pressure next year, but I think they are well equipped to handle it.

5. Lloyd Severence says:

   posted on January 5, 2004 07:02 PM — link

   Don't get me wrong, they are well equipped, my point is he just granted himself a large amount of pressure that he will be REQUIRED to live up to.

6. Sean says:

   posted on January 5, 2004 07:35 PM — link

   This stipulation wasn't even Saban's idea. LSU came to him with this clause when they renegotiated his contract 2 years ago. He;s not setting himself up for problems. As it is, LSU is probably going to renegotiate with more money and more control anyway.

7. LAC says:

   posted on January 5, 2004 07:46 PM — link

   Right now everyone is pleased with Nick and more than willing to hand this money over to him. What about next year? Sure most of his talent is returning, but will they have the heart it took to make it to the top? For Nick's sake I hope so! I for one hope that LSU doesn't allow this one to get away. He has done more for our university, and state in one season than anyone before him. Way to go Coach!!!